One of the oldest football clubs in the south of Scotland is kicking off the New Year with an extra boost, thanks to our Banks Community Fund.
Formed in 1879, St Cuthbert Wanderers Football Club is now an integral part of the Kirkcudbright community and has received a £1000 donation from Banks Renewables, via the fund, to provide its team with a range of equipment, vital for its training.
Competing in the Dumfries and Galloway Youth League, the club has a total of six teams made up of 90 children between the ages of eight and 15, who are all set to benefit from the gift.
David Mclachan, Chairman of St Cuthbert Wanderers FC, said: “We are extremely thankful for the support of Banks Renewables as this donation will give our club a real boost.
“The football club truly is at the heart of the local community giving kids from all backgrounds the opportunity to get fit, learn new skills and above all, learn to work as part of a team.
“Not only can playing sport be greatly beneficial to a young person’s health, it can also provide a wealth of social benefits. We have witnessed our youngsters experiencing improved academic achievement, higher self esteem and fewer behavioural problems after joining our teams.
“The donation exemplifies Banks’ commitment to benefitting local people and we look forward to treating our team to new training equipment with their gift.”
Public benefit
The Banks Community Fund provides funding for projects which show a community-wide public benefit. Since its beginnings it has granted £2.6 million in grants and benefited more than 80,000 people.
Colin Anderson, development director at Banks Renewables, said: “We’re really pleased to support this club in its objectives to bring the community together and support youngsters.
“As a long established club with strong community values it is exactly the type of organisation that can benefit from the tangible, positive outcomes we expect to deliver as part of the Knockendurrick Wind Farm community partnership, should it be approved.
“Working closely with the local community throughout the development process has helped us connect with many local people and we greatly appreciate the willingness they have shown by engaging with us and hope that this donation will further cement our strong relationship.
“Our aim for each of our wind farm developments is that they have a positive long term impact in terms of the local communities who host our developments, their environment and the local economy and we believe that if approved, the Knockendurrick proposal will achieve this.”
We have extensive experience of working in partnership with local communities across Scotland and the United Kingdom to successfully design and develop new energy schemes and deliver a range of local economic, social and environmental benefits, tailored to their individual community needs.
Jobs and training
Similar projects we have been involved with have resulted in the creation of jobs and training initiatives, provision of community infrastructure, delivery of environmental projects and direct funding into community groups such as St Cuthbert Wanderers FC.
Louise Durham, a mother of two St Cuthbert Wanderers FC players, said: “It’s great to see a company like Banks Renewables donate to a local group.
“The football club is such a big part of the community in Kirkcudbright and it not only is fantastic for the children but also helps bring together parents with social events held throughout the year.
“The club simply would not be in existence without generous donations such as Banks Renewables’ recent contribution and we will now be able to purchase new footballs, bibs and vital first aid equipment in time for the new season.”
The planning application for the seven turbine Knockendurrick Wind Farm, which could generate up to 23.8MW of energy, was submitted to Dumfries and Galloway Council in September 2013. Further information on the proposed Knockendurrick Wind Farm can be found at www.banksgroup.co.uk/knockendurrick/.
